Commissioners OK demolition of six structures

The Leavenworth City Commission gave the go ahead Tuesday to demolish six structures because they were determined to be dangerous.

Comment

By John Richmeierjrichmeier@leavenworthtimes.com

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By John Richmeierjrichmeier@leavenworthtimes.com

Posted May. 14, 2014 at 9:26 AM

By John Richmeierjrichmeier@leavenworthtimes.com

Posted May. 14, 2014 at 9:26 AM

Other business

In other business Tuesday, the Leavenworth City Commission:

• Approved a resolution for the issuance of general obligation ...

» Read more

X

Other business

In other business Tuesday, the Leavenworth City Commission:

• Approved a resolution for the issuance of general obligation bonds for the estimated amount $5.5 million and the issuance of temporary notes in the principal amount of $2.3 million.

• Approved an ordinance to rezone the former Ben Day School, 1100 Third Ave., to a multi-family district.

• Approved the payment to Motorola Solutions in the amount of $614,756 for the purchase of communications equipment and $12,612 to Midwest Mobile Radio Service for programming and installation of the equipment.

• Approved the purchase of 31 self-contained breathing apparatuses for the Leavenworth Fire Department. The SCBAs are being purchased from FELD Fire in the amount of $135,096.

• Approved a bid from G&K Services for a uniform rental service in the amount of $17,069.

The Leavenworth City Commission gave the go ahead Tuesday to demolish six structures because they were determined to be dangerous.

Commissioners also intend to review six properties in 90 days to determine if they should remain on a demolition list.

Commissioners discussed a total of 15 properties during a public hearing. The properties previously had been reviewed March 25.

City Planner Ralph Moore said the structures were determined to eligible for demolition based on 11 criteria.

The criteria included things such as damaged exterior walls, deteriorated foundations, sagging roofs and damaged windows. Not all of the criteria had to exist for a property to be considered for demolition.

Moore said some of the properties were "marginal" in terms of being included on the list.

Most of the properties that were reviewed are houses. However, some of the structures considered for demolition are sheds and garages.

One property, a house at 616 Spruce St., was removed from the demolition list Tuesday at the recommendation of City Attorney Tom Dawson. That's because the property currently is the subject of a probate court proceedings.

Sheds located at 516 and 520 Dakota St. may be removed from the list. The owners of the properties told commissioners the sheds already had been torn down. Commissioners said the properties can be removed from the list once city personnel verify the structures are no longer standing.

Commissioners decided to leave houses at 201 Osage St., 520 Pawnee St., 625 Kiowa St. and 912 Grand Ave. on the demolition list because no one came to speak to the commission about the properties. Garages at 1112 N. 12th St. and 411 Sheridan Ave. were left on the demolition list for the same reason.

Mayor Mark Preisinger, who participated in the discussion by telephone, recommended only a 60-day extension for the house at 610 Lawrence Ave.

Owner Jessie Kroll said he plans to fix up the property.

But, Preisinger said he felt commissioners were hearing excuses. He said the property has been an eyesore for multiple years.

"I think something has to be done immediately," he said.

The other commissioners reached a consensus for a 90-day extension.

Commissioner Laura Janas Gasbarre said Kroll should address fines associated with the grass on the property not being mowed.

"That has to be addressed immediately," she said.

She said this will show a commitment to the property.

The city was responsible for mowing the grass at the property during all of 2013.

Kroll said he had been out of the state and the person he hired to take care of the property didn't mow the grass.

Page 2 of 2 -

Sheds located at 516 and 520 Dakota St. may be removed from the list. The owners of the properties told commissioners the sheds already had been torn down. Commissioners said the properties can be removed from the list once city personnel verify the structures are no longer standing.

Commissioners decided to leave houses at 201 Osage St., 520 Pawnee St., 625 Kiowa St. and 912 Grand Ave. on the demolition list because no one came to speak to the commission about the properties. Garages at 1112 N. 12th St. and 411 Sheridan Ave. were left on the demolition list for the same reason.